As the calendar flips to 2024, a host of new laws will go into effect across the United States.
These include “clean slate” laws that seal criminal records, crackdowns on retail theft and sex trafficking, and laws that affect bail and probation.
Here are some new laws that will go into effect across the country at some point this year.
Texas Gov. Abbott signs bill making illegal immigration a national crime
A “Shoplifters will be prosecuted'' sign posted at a store during the holiday season. (St. Petersburg)
texas
A new Texas law will take effect in March, making illegal immigration, historically a federal crime, a state-level crime.
Senate Bill 4, which has already been challenged in court, would give local police the power to arrest people who cross the border illegally and give foreign nationals the option of leaving the country or facing prosecution.
Asylum seekers wait to be processed by U.S. Border Patrol after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas, on September 30. (John Moore/Getty Images)
Separately, a new “anti-DEI law”, Senate Bill 17, bans offices of diversity, equity and inclusion at public universities in Texas.
pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is reviewing its probation system, raising the penalty for “porch piracy” to a felony, and cracking down on retail theft.
Starting in the first six months of 2024, courts will be required to impose conditions of probation “necessary to ensure or assist the defendant in leading a law-abiding life,” and will have until March to remove luggage from the pouch. Theft will be treated the same as felony mail theft.
Attention: DoorDash driver steals packages from porches while pretending to be food delivery: Police
The state attorney general's office also plans to add a unit to specifically prosecute retail theft, noting that Philadelphia ranks ninth in the nation for worst retail crime.
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florida
of florida new bail law Create uniform standards across the state to automatically deny bail for certain crimes before a suspect's first court appearance.
Without approval from the Florida Supreme Court, district courts cannot set bail lower than the state's new standard.
The law will go into effect on January 1st.
new york
New York's blank slate law is scheduled to go into effect one year after it is signed into law on November 16, 2023, but courts have up to three years to comply.
Governor Kathy Hochul speaks after signing the blank bill on November 16, 2023. (Susan Watts/Governor Kathy Hochul's Office)
Criminal records will be sealed after three years for misdemeanors and eight years for felonies, unless the offender commits another crime.
The law does not apply to records with convictions for murder, sex crimes, domestic terrorism, or “other serious crimes.”
Former New York governor rejects state's 'blank slate' bill to seal criminal records: Works only 'in theory'
connecticut
Connecticut's version of the blank repeal law, signed into law in 2021, will roll out its next step on January 1st.
Misdemeanor records, with the exception of sex offenses and violent offenses, are subject to automatic expungement after seven years without a new conviction. Low-level felonies can be expunged after 10 years.
California
California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom signed bipartisan SB 14 in September, increasing the state's penalties for child sex trafficking.
California Governor Gavin Newsom spoke in a debate with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis moderated by Fox News' Sean Hannity. (Fox News Digital)
Trafficking of minors for “commercial” purposes is now a felony, and convictions result in strikes and harsher penalties under California’s “three strikes” law. become.
“With the passage of this bill, we send a clear message to child traffickers: We will put you out of business and we will put you out of business,” state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, said after signing the bill. We're going to put him in prison where he belongs.”
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illinois
Illinois Public Law 103-0118, which goes into effect on January 1st, allows family members to file legal charges against anyone who knowingly provides alcohol to a person under 18 if the minor causes death or injury while intoxicated. It is permissible to take measures.
Also effective on New Year's Day in Illinois Public Law 103-0100 prohibits the banning of books in taxpayer-funded libraries without exception.
FOX News' Bradford Betts contributed to this report.
